Service first started in 1957 with the SE trainset, which, on a trial run, attained the world speed record at the time (145 km/h) for a narrow gauge train. This record gave impetus for the design of the first Shinkansen, the 0 Series. The 50th anniversary of the Romancecar's narrow gauge world speed record was celebrated on 28 September 2007.[2]

The trains were reformed from eight cars to five in 1968, becoming the 3000 series SSE (Short Super Express).

The SE trains were in service from 1957 to 1968, and the SSE from 1968 to 1991.